DNR official: Lake ice can be treacherous

Amber Nohrenberg DL-Online...Published Friday, November 30, 2007

 Despite cold temperatures and the ice-solid appearances of local streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, lake enthusiasts should wait a bit longer before venturing off shore, to avoid an icy bath.  “The ice is never safe,” said Joe Stattelman, a conservation officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Right now is one of our two most dangerous times of year.”

Stattelman said the ice is forming, but conditions like wind and sunshine can affect the thickness. Ice on rivers and streams can change quickly, too, because of currents.  Stattelman said he had checked the thickness on some area lakes earlier in the week and the ice varied from three-quarters to one-and-a-quarter inches thick. He said he couldn’t speculate on the thickness of the ice on area lakes now, even a few days later, because there are a number of factors that can affect thickness.

The DNR has a set of safety guidelines Stattelman said the agency uses to determine what kinds of traffic the ice can take due to thickness.

For ice fishing and walking on the ice, the ice should be at least four inches thick. ATVs and snowmobiles should not be used until ice is at least five to six inches thick. Small cars can drive on ice that is 8 to 12 inches thick, and pickups and large fish houses should be on ice at least 12 inches thick.

Stattelman offered some advice for those preparing to venture out on area lakes. He said people need to be aware of where they are on the ice and should check the thickness as they go further out to make sure the ice isn’t getting thinner.

Parents need to watch their children closely. He said kids are more susceptible to the cold water and drowning, and less likely to be aware of changing ice conditions.

“Kids like to break the ice,” Stattelman said. “Adults usually go out for a reason.”

Enthusiasts should also consider carrying ice picks, ropes, and life jackets or personal flotation devices in case they break through the ice. If more than one person is going on the ice, the people should be spaced out so that if one person breaks through, the other person doesn’t and can help get him or her out.

Stattelman said those venturing on the ice should always let someone know where they are going and when they will be back. They should also be familiar with the body of water they are on.

Motorists should keep their windows open or their doors slightly ajar when out on the ice, Stattelman said. Cars don’t go down like a rock, he said, and an open door can slow the sinking process long enough for the driver to get to safety. Drivers should also drive slowly on the ice.

“If you drive fast on the ice, you’re creating a wave in front of you, which can break the ice,” Stattelman said. Especially vulnerable to this are patches of thin ice and area along shoreline.

Stattelman also said drivers should avoid areas with water on the ice. The water could be from weak ice or open water. Folks should try to avoid driving on the ice at night, too, when open water or thin ice isn’t as visible.

If someone does go through the ice, Stattelman said it’s very important to get him or her to a warm, dry place as soon as possible because hypothermia could set in. He said a ride to the hospital isn’t out of the question, even if someone is feeling well.

“It’s good to get checked out, just in case.”